based on the LGG Study, The Armor of God, w3d4
Scripture: Isaiah 52:7
How delightful it is to see approaching over the mountains the feet of a messenger who announces peace, a messenger who brings good news, who announces deliverance,who says to Zion, “Your God reigns!”
Isaiah 52:7
I remember reading this for the first time in my late 20’s early 30’s and being so intrigued by it. I was using the NIV at that time which, along with the KJV and NLT translations, uses the word beautiful instead of delightful – same meaning but the word beautiful really struck me and has stuck in my mind all these years. When I hear the Gospel preached on Sunday morning or think of Billy Graham’s crusades that my dad had us watch when possible or any other setting where I hear His Word of peace and salvation proclaimed – the Spirit raises this verse to mind and I am stand transfixed to that moment in time when the people first heard the messenger on the mountain Isaiah refers to.
How beautiful on the mountains
Isa 52:7 NLT
are the feet of the messenger who brings good news,
the good news of peace and salvation,
the news that the God of Israel reigns!
Isaiah’s word imagery is also used in the Old Testament by the prophet Nahum in Nahum 1:15, where we read: “Behold upon the mountains the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace! O Judah, keep thy solemn feasts, perform thy vows: for the wicked shall no more pass through thee; he is utterly cut off.” It is used again by Paul in the New Testament, in Romans 10:14-15 in reference to “missions” and carrying the Gospel to the unreached – where Paul poses the question, “How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? 15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!
In Isaiah’s day, his words were meant to leave Judah rejoicing in deliverance from captivity to their enemy; and in Paul’s day even to now we can and should rejoice in the “goodness’ of our salvation and the freedom it brought us – from captivity to the law of sin and death! (Romans 6:14-15)
(Is this not a beautiful message of peace that Paul delivered, bringing us the ‘good news’ of our salvation?!)
Roman 6:14-15
14 Sin is no longer your master, for you no longer live under the requirements of the law. Instead, you live under the freedom of God’s grace.15 Well then, since God’s grace has set us free from the law, does that mean we can go on sinning? Of course not!
Other Notable Observations
- Having learned from Ephesians 2:14 that “Jesus is our peace,” this could read “…the feet of a messenger who announces Jesus.
- It wasn’t just the feet it was the message – the good new of deliverance
- Freedom comes through the Sovereign God who reigns!
One Obvious Application
While there may be other worthy applications, the one that jumped off the page to me was – be ready with the Gospel.
A Prayer in Response to the Word
Father, how beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news that “our God saves!” Thank You for calling Your disciples – myself included to share this Good News with ALL! And, as Peter said, to be ready with an answer for the HOPE that is in me, 1 Peter 3:15. Help me to be excited about the message of Good News and not let the enemy keep me silent. Help me to live as Paul taught – unashamed of the gospel, the Good News about Christ, for it is You at work, saving everyone who believes—the Jew first and also the Gentile. Help me to remember that Christ himself united Jews and Gentiles into one people when, in his own body on the cross, he broke down the wall of hostility that separated us – so that I don’t hold back but share and work as He did to bring all people to You. – In His Name I pray – AMEN!
Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it.
1 Peter 3:15 and Romans 1:16
For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes—the Jew first and also the Gentile.[a]
Reflection on the Journey
- How can we make sure that our feet are fitted with the “Gospel of Peace”?
- What “mountains” can you ascend with the good news of the Gospel?
Going Further:
“God has called each of us to be a messenger of His love and grace to those around us.”
The LGG Devotional Journal
These are great and help links to understanding what Paul meant by not being ashamed of the Gospel and how to be ready to implement the Gospel in your everyday life.
By nature, we are not at peace with God, but are enemies to Him, living in rebellious pride. Our responsibility is to share the gospel of peace, telling people that they can turn to God and come to Jesus for forgiveness. Whether through our words, actions, or simply the way we live our lives, we have the privilege and responsibility to share the Good News of salvation and the peace that only God provides.
The LGG Devotional Journal
The Good News of salvation is not just for us: it is for everyone. We have been given the privilege of sharing it with the world. Let us take courage, lift up our heads, and go forth with joy, knowing that our feet are beautiful because they carry the Good News of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
The LGG Devotional Journal